Reluctant Nomad

I moved. AGAIN.

2008-12-24T12:35:00.004+01:00

This time I didn't change countries though. Just moved my blog. Go HERE to read all of my new posts (and see the great design):

www.mlphotodesign.com/blog

I like a little graphic art

2008-12-11T12:02:00.004+01:00

with my cathedrals. Don't you?

Transportation

2008-12-10T08:39:00.003+01:00

The eyes have it

2008-12-09T20:51:00.002+01:00

I like to remember

2008-12-09T20:25:00.002+01:00

when there were colors on the trees and a reason to venture outside of the gloomy city. This shot was taken only a month ago. ONE MONTH. I haven't seen the sun in a very long time people. It's getting to me.

Just added to Gallery

2008-12-09T12:33:00.000+01:00

Go here!

Sabbath

2008-12-04T12:03:00.002+01:00

I got invited over to play

2008-12-01T09:19:00.004+01:00

During this shot I was yelling, "Could you hold hands? Look at me? Oh, boys?" I felt like I was at home with my own boys. They don't listen to me either.
His dad was bribing him with candy during this shot
The wind caught his hair and made him laugh. This smile had nothing to do with me.

A modern miracle. Everyone happy. For the moment (this was at the beginning)...

Vienna Lanscape

2008-11-10T14:46:00.006+01:00

What do you know?

2008-11-04T18:35:00.004+01:00

No really. I want to hear. At my most recent post at Blog Segullah.

More Shoenbrunn shots

2008-11-03T15:28:00.008+01:00

On SALE NOW!

2008-11-02T17:55:00.002+01:00

My art is being featured in the Fall 2008 issue of Irreantum. The issue is ON SALE NOW. Here's the cover image, it is entitled, 'In Her Ear.' There are more of my pieces featured inside (but you'll have to order it to see them). So go! Go spend some money! Help the economy!

Shoenbrunn Photo Shoot

2008-11-01T22:07:00.004+01:00

I must admit that the palace at Shoenbrunn is stunning. But today, she was even more beautiful. No?

Do you know Cjane? You will. Oh, you will.

2008-10-30T13:39:00.003+01:00

When I volunteered my (little experienced) design skills to help with cjane's book, I didn't realize I'd be IN CHARGE of the design. Many an anxiety attack accompanied the birth of this cover. But, sometimes when someone else thinks you can do something, you ride on their faith until you realize that not only CAN you do it, but it's finished and you DID it (not a small miracle). So, here it is....cjane's book. And I'm thrilled to say that I knew Courtney before she was famous. Wait, 'thrilled' is not quite right. Honored would be more accurate. Yes, honored indeed.

Proud Parenting Moment #193

2008-10-27T22:01:00.004+01:00

So I organized a craft for the kids the other day (read: gave in to their endless requests to let them paint, yelled at them from the computer room to be careful not to spill the paint, and then proceeded to break my face away from the computer for a few seconds to respond to their requests of 'Look mama!'). Sometimes I get all mommy and buy canvas for them to paint on so I can then hang it on the walls of their room.

I'm gagging as I type that.

And I'm sure you're thinking, am I reading the right blog? Let me check the address again, yes this is the one. Ok, moving on, so as I'm watching over their precious little shoulders commenting on their work (read: yelling from the other room, 'Good Job honey!' 'Looks beautiful!') when I hear the first grumblings of complaint from my oldest. 'Mom! BAM BAM IS MIXING THE PAINT.' Horror. So what would a good parent do? Yes, get off her sorry behind and get a new paint plate for Mr. Furious. And that's what I did (mommy points for that one). As I was bringing him the new plate, I suddenly decided to ask what they're painting (more mommy points).

I ask Bam Bam first, he responds, "I'm painting poop.' And I swear I'm going to have to call Mensa STAT because it looks JUST LIKE POOP. This one's got some skills. And then I turn to Mr. Furious' canvas. He is describing in great detail how there is scaffolding (that's the blue stuff) and then there are guys on the scaffolding. And. wait. for. it. Yep, they're all dead. 'OH, I respond with a suppressed laugh, then that explains the red paint everywhere.' 'Yes,' he says, 'That's blood.'

FANTATIC! I'll see your perfectly behaved child and raise you a future gastroenterologist and a future felon.

I'm too nervous to read

2008-10-25T00:01:00.005+02:00

And since I've sworn off chocolate (due to a constant headache spanning multiple days), I'm not sure what the remedy is. Probably not blogging. Probably not staying up until midnight staring at the screen of the computer. I'm thinking drugs sound nice. If only I could speak enough German to clearly communicate to the pharmacist that I need some medication that would allow me to sleep for a few days and that comes with an auto-babysitter as a added bonus.

Follow-through on a Threat

2008-10-23T10:08:00.003+02:00

I have this running theory that linguists make the best conversationalists. But, little did I know what else they could do. Here's my blog in Farsi a la Johnna.

Sunday in Wien

2008-10-19T21:28:00.003+02:00

Sometimes we leave the house....

The Show must go on...

2008-10-18T10:11:00.006+02:00

The art exhibition is TODAY at the Amerika Haus here in Vienna. Since most of my friends and loved ones can't swing the plane ticket, here's a link to my online gallery where you can see many of the pieces that I'm showing today. I'll miss you...

Skip the Sound of Music Tour

2008-10-14T16:18:00.010+02:00

on your next visit to Salzburg.

BUT don't leave without visiting 'Schliesselberger,' a centuries old, family-owned belt shop. Stick around, chat a bit, make your way upstairs. Buy a belt, or four, or five. Or let them match one to the shoes you're wearing. If you're really nice, they might let you see the workroom. The owner graciously showed my sons his collection of snake and alligator skin, the differences between fake and real ostrich hide, and generously presented them different types of scrap leather as gifts. The boys carried them around for days, took them to show and tell, whined for their 'leathers' when they disappeared behind train seats or couch cushions. The experience was funner than Disneyland, more enjoyable than the Sound of Music tour.

Next time you travel abroad, go ahead and enjoy yourself. You know, try not to be a tourist.

Flying

2008-10-13T13:38:00.004+02:00

I identify most with her. Mother of four, dresses modestly, deeply religious, doesn't drink. Stands out so starkly from the others that I sometimes feel the need to integrate her. But how? She doesn't seem uncomfortable living in a country where people are less than tactful about their dislike of her nationality, ethnicity, religion. She seems like she holds a secret. Maybe she's naive in her contentment. Maybe she's not.

"Flying" Now Available for Purchase

She smiles

2008-10-09T13:52:00.013+02:00

at my son. Two matchbox cars, the victims of play, caked with sand and clay lie at my feet. Slowly she stops, speaks in rushed German while wearing a half smile, half frown. She says something about a street. It takes me a socially unacceptable amount of time to answer. She repeats herself and then yells in German, "Do you not understand me?" I shake my head and whisper, "Es tut mir leid." She leaves me. Three times she looks back, full frown. Much too late, I realize that she was complaining about the need of a crosswalk at the intersection. My son stands. Intertwined, we cross the street, turn left, and head for home.

"Friedhof's Remorse" Now Available for Purchase

Up to my....

2008-10-06T12:15:00.005+02:00

I'm swimming in 11x14s and 16x20s. I made a huge order from a NEW lab a couple of weeks ago, thousands of retail dollars worth of artwork. The event? A gallery show of my pieces (along with other exp-pats) at the Amerika Haus here in Vienna. I'm thrilled and distraught.

Why?

I screwed up the 16x20 canvas order and forgot to order stretcher frames. What on earth are stretcher frames? Well, the things that make it possible to frame canvas. Yeah, the essential part to be able to SHOW the work instead of just store it in a box somewhere. So, I come here to beg the blogging gods to pray for tolerance and mercy upon the perpetually stupid.

***Here's one piece that's included in the show (I'll show more later...they're being published in the next issue of Irreantum and I don't want to spoil the fun of premiering them there).

I'm feeling

2008-10-05T11:39:00.003+02:00

like fall.

It's all in the Genes

2008-10-01T13:14:00.005+02:00

Turns out 'not being 100% sure' of a diagnosis (or two?) is not an idea that Bam Bam's doctor is satisfied with. This appointment only took an hour and 15 minutes, I'll call that a victory. The test results from our last appointment were all normal. Oh yeah, except the results on the scale. That's still a problem. With new medicine and upped food intake, Bam Bam gained um, how can I put this nicely....nothing, nada, keine kilos, no pounds, no ounces, no grams. Verstehest Du? Comprende? A couple of genetic tests, a potential repeat endoscopy, and a diet change looms ahead. But, first, we wait. We wait for results. We wait for our next appointment, we wait for another referral. Frankly, I'm dreading the results; dreading if they will be positive, dreading if they will be negative. Ironically, my greatest comfort comes from my child. He climbs mountains while I'm still huffing it in the foothills. He flies above me while I sit below, contemplating all the ways that I could lose him. He defies my worries, my calculations. And so, we move forward. It's lunchtime here. We all need to eat.